Sports fans thought they had a déjà vu moment when famed NFL quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement.
Again.
Brady, who spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2019 before spending his final three seasons playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, addressed fans with a familiar announcement on social media.
"I'm retiring for good," he said in a selfie video posted on his social early Wednesday morning.
Photos in the accompanying slideshow included pictures of his children, parents and ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, to whom he was married for 13 years.
He continued:
“I know the process was a pretty big deal last time so when I woke up this morning I figured I’d just press record, let you guys know first so it won’t be long-winded.”
He kept his promise in the 53-second clip, seen below.
Brady wrapped things up with humor by poking fun at his first announcement last year.
“You only get one super emotional retirement essay and I used mine up last year."
“Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn’t change a thing,
\u201cTruly grateful on this day. Thank you \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffb\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
The 45-year-old Super Bowl MVP quit the NFL last year to spend more time with his family.
He expressed his gratitude online for the opportunities he was given and for the support he had from family and friends.
On February 1, 2022—exactly a year before he announced his retirement again on Wednesday—Brady wrote:
"I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore."
"I have loved my NFL career, and now is my time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention."
\u201chttps://t.co/ZUmmELuTbd\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1643726393
However, he un-retired 40 days later, saying he would return to the Buccaneers for the 2022 season.
In this year's retirement announcement, Brady wrote a caption expressing nothing but love.
"I love my family
I love my teammates
I love my friends
I love my coaches
I love football
I love you all"
"I am truly grateful on this day. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️"
Many of his loyal fans who view him as the GOAT—Greatest Of All Time—wished him well.
\u201c@TomBrady Congratulations Tom \ud83d\udc10 on an outstanding career and for one of the greatest plays in #Eagles History, Sorry had to do it!! \nhttps://t.co/uwpoxXXCcT\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
\u201c@TomBrady Thanks for all the memories Tommy, you\u2019re the greatest to ever do it \ud83d\udc10 sincerely, every Patriots fan & every fan of this game #ThankYouBrady #Patriots #NFL\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
\u201c@TomBrady As of right now it hurts for many of us including me lol. But Tom, thank you so much for everything. What a great career you have and you are truly forever the \ud83d\udc10. I love you Tom \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
But there were also skeptics who ribbed him about retirement 2.0.
\u201c@TomBrady see you next year.\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
\u201c@TomBrady\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
\u201c@Joshimpressions @TomBrady Brady when he comes back again\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
\u201c@TomBrady Tom Brady coming out of retirement in 6 months like\u201d— Tom Brady (@Tom Brady) 1675257154
Brady faced scrutiny for un-retiring last year because he previously cited being a devoted father and husband was more important.
Many speculated his return to the NFL and prioritizing football over family may have contributed to the dissolution of his marriage. Brady and Bündchen share two children, Benjamin, 12 and Vivian, 9.
He also has a 15-year-old son Jack with actress Bridget Moynahan.
Bündchen said in an interview with Elle magazine in September–a month before their divorce became official–she was concerned about Brady's decision to continue participating in the violent sport.
She told the magazine:
"Ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy too."
But after years of supporting Brady and taking care of the family, she added:
"Now it's going to be my turn. I've done my part, which is to be there for him."
"I moved to Boston and I focused on creating a cocoon and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and to be there supporting him and his dreams."
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